Saint Fan CaM

Adams with a terrible non-pass. Armstrong caught ball watching again and not tracking his man. Small margins...they are just much better than us. There’s no point over-analysing this. Just keep the fucking score below 5-1 Saints.

Agree. And if he’s not going to improve the squad then what is the point? If Celtic want him then we should let him go and look elsewhere. I’ve not seen anything to suggest he’s capable of performing any better than Redmond and that’s a very low bar now. It’s vital that we get a new no.10 that can supply our forwards and contribute circa 8-10 goals a season minimum, which would leave Redmond very firmly on the bench. Unfortunately Walcott is not the answer, so that’s another position that needs filling. If the reports are true that Liverpool want Minemino back then that’s another place to be replaced, but I can’t see us signing 3 no.10’s in the summer (although that would be pretty exciting).

If anyone thinks that a win against Sheffield Utd is any indication of the form and confidence in our fragile squad they need to think again. There is very little to suggest this will be anything other than another humiliating drubbing. I can see 4-0 or worse. Team selection will do little more than to keep the scoreline respectable, but in my view playing the strongest team possible is the right way for Ralph. However I can see McCarthy and Redmond being given the nod. Doubt Minamino will play. Adams up top and possibly Djenepo will be given a job at pseudo RB again with a flexible back three. Fingers crossed...hands in front of face...would be mildly ecstatic with one point to be fair. COYS!😞

My word, SU are so, so shit...they make us look like Barca! Would be good to get 3 to redress a little GD. Well done Ralph and the boys.

Looking toothless and slow in attack as usual. We’ll end up gifting at least a point to SU unless we find a way to move the ball much quicker. Tells is looking a right handful though.

A game we should and really must win. And win by a good measure...something like 3-0. But we won’t...after fannying around passing it backwards and sideways with little attacking threat, it will be 0-0 at around 80mins with us having 65% possession. Ralph will then sub 1 or 2 of our best players and before you can say JWP, we’ll get suckered on the break...probably from a corner which doesn’t clear the 1st man. It’s the 2021 version of the Southampton way. Don’t underestimate this teams ability to underperform. We’re really not that good.

Calvin Lewin comes down heavily on Djenepo’s ankle and nothing given. Dirty cynical bunch of cnuts are Everton.

We’re starting to look ok for a bit. Nice passing around. Trouble is that doesn’t buy goals and you just know they’ll switch off and it’ll be 2-0 before you can say “not offside”.😏😂

My word, Djenepo and Redmond are beyond useless...just have nothing to offer. Forster already looks a better bet. I pity Bednarek...stupid choice putting him at RB.

I think Ralph needs to think a little radical with this one...it’s not game over if we lose, but it’s pivotal. I think the space in front of defence needs bolstering so play a slightly deeper line in defence and setup like this. Forster Ramsey. Bednarek. Vest. Salisu JWP. Jankewitz. Berty Armstrong. Minemino Ings Will be very surprised if we walk away with even a point though...Everton have more about them, are well drilled and clinical. It’s likely to be another 3-0, possibly worse.

Utter garbage and unfortunately I think Ralph's time is up - all the indicators are he's lost the dressing room. Think it's time for Eddie to come in and work some magic before the season is a complete disaster. Then complete the overhaul of a dysfunctional squad starting with Redmond, Bertrand, Djenepo, McCarthy and Adam's.

FFS...tank replaced with fucking bambi on ice. Kiss goodbye to this game then.

Here we go...30 minutes in and Leeds not in the game. Goal coming?🤔

Hate trying to predict against Leeds...still scarred from many years ago. It will be a close game, but I think we will edge it if we’re able to get through the 2nd half unscathed. Would leave Ings in place purely because he will at least draw defenders away from other players. Heart says 2-1 Saints.

If this half serves to show Ralph one thing, it's that changing formation and tactics CAN work, even with a pressing game retained. I think Sisu has looked very comfortable in the pseudo LB role.

What did I just say?! Possession means nothing if the final third passing is poor. Bloody brilliant goal!!!

If there's one positive here, we know that possession doesn't necessarily mean a won game. But we're not capitalising on anything...just giving it back to them with sloppy passing. Gonna be a long afternoon.

I don’t think it’s about one individuals leadership qualities as such - that’s not the expectation nowadays. What the Saints model requires is intelligent people that understand a system rather than have an inbuilt natural grit and ability in their game. Vardy is a perfect example in my opinion - probably not going to get a Masters degree any time soon, but he has an natural ability to read the game, be in the right place at the right time, move the ball accurately etc. etc. I think Ings has that largely too, but I doubt he’ll be given the C armband. JWP by contrast is a scholar and that’s why he gets the Managers vote for the Captaincy. That’s generally the type of player we develop and/or buy...scholarly athletes, not natural gifted, hard nosed, grafting footballers. So when the science or learnt system breaks down and the going gets tough, there’s nothing for them to fall back on.

Not disagreeing with you actually. The issue with Puel in many fans eyes was not the results, but the method he used to get there. It was simply boring to watch...and so we’re his interviews. It was turning ugly on the terraces too with an increasing number of supporters voicing their disappointment and disapproval. And that was with an arguably better squad of players. And it happened to him at Leicester too...and it’s true to say they’re not doing too badly without him.

That all sounds like good logic, but the in the context of this season Ralph’s record is starting to look somewhat tarnished. He’s presided over a couple of embarrassing adverse records including another 9-0 drubbing and an inability to break down and win against a team of 9 men. And this in a season where the ‘top’ clubs have seen mixed results and we’ve actually topped the table for a short while as a result. Yes, he’s had to contend with significant injuries, but then so have other clubs. I don’t think there are many better Managers for us out there (Eddie?) and don’t particularly want Ralph to go, but this season can hardly be classed as a success. Well, not unless somehow we manage to fluke our way to the FA Cup final and finish higher than 17 of course.

As we should be? That’s why we’ll end up losing...Ralph is proving to be a bit too one dimensional in his tactics. If it were me I’d start Ings up top and pack the midfield to help protect a weak defence while still operating a high press when out of possession. Most of all though I would instruct the team to attack with more speed whenever possible and not to fanny around with the ball in and around our penalty area...just get rid into row ZZ if necessary. Screw the attempts at 60% possession...that’s not going to work against Chelski with confidence so low in the squad, so let them make the mistakes which we can try to capitalise on. Yeah ok, we’re going to lose and by some considerable margin probably, but why not try something different?

Would bite their hand off for a draw to get us off 29 points and get something other than a loss on the board. But don’t think that will happen - can see another shafting...4-0 is not unfeasible. Ramsey should be selected at RB otherwise what’s the point, Forster should get the nod now and I want to see Minamino ahead of Redmond. Otherwise the team picks itself.

Fucking around at the back once again costs us the game. Utter turd 💩 tactics. What is so hard about once in a while hoofing it away? I’m sick of the idiotic attempts to pass out of defence and so piss away leads.

That is a World class goal. Brilliant run by Armstrong...actually a good block by Redmond (used his brain) and a brilliant take by Ings. Let’s have another Saints because we deserve to win this big time. Romeu needs to be very careful on a yellow - this Ref will gladly furnish a red card.

Last three touches by Redmond have been absolute garbage and just giving the ball back to Wolves. He is bringing nothing to this game and Ralph should get Adams on, offers so much more and that’s saying something!